as in tried
to make an effort to do
after attempting—and failing—to start the lawn mower on my own, I finally succeeded with a neighbor's help don't even attempt walking on your broken foot
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Recent Examples of attempted
Over the past year, two biographers have attempted to flesh out the men behind the symbols.
—
Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
No player in the Italian top-flight attempted more take-ons than the 21-year-old last season, indicative of his positive nature and desire to make an impact in the final third.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
According to authorities, a group of individuals attempted to storm a police station in the French capital late Saturday.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Back near the start of the 20th century, experts at the US Coast and Geodetic Survey attempted to find the center of what was then the United States’ 48 states.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempted
Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
No player in the Italian top-flight attempted more take-ons than the 21-year-old last season, indicative of his positive nature and desire to make an impact in the final third.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 5 June 2026
According to authorities, a group of individuals attempted to storm a police station in the French capital late Saturday.
—Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026
Back near the start of the 20th century, experts at the US Coast and Geodetic Survey attempted to find the center of what was then the United States’ 48 states.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 30 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for attempted
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attempted
tried
Verb
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To make matters messier, Danson and Goldberg’s romance was cooling off and the two actually tried to get out of the Friars roast, but the club said the tickets had been sold and the show must go on.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
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Odd moment plagues fourth quarter As the Knicks held on to their fairly sizable lead, a fan ran onto the court, tried to take a selfie with Wembanyama but was quickly apprehended by security.—
Jacob Lev,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Attempted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attempted. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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